Korean Job Discussion Forums

Landon77 · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Texas, USA

Hi, long time reader, first time poster!
I've not been able to find an answer to a question I have. I'm a large individual (5'10" about 280lbs), and I'm wondering how I will be recieved into Korean culture. The reason I'm wondering is because I've read about people being fired for various reasons. In a country where one could be sacked for so many reasons, do you think there is a good chance I could be fired for this? This, of course, is assuming that I've been hired.
*gasp* Shocked

No spell check...

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:43 pm Post subject:

It really varies how you will be treated. I wouldn't worry about it.

Ask Grotto. I think he's about your build.

john · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

They may use your weight as an excuse if they do not like you. Do a good job and you will be ok. You will probably be at a children's hagwon and that is a great work out. You could easily drop the weight. I went from 250ish to 225 in a month. But with a 36 inch waist I am still fat by Korean standards.

Sofa_King · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Location: South Korea

They won't fire you because you're big. If you do a good job, work hard and maintain a positive attitude, they'll love you.

kermo · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:13 pm Post subject:

You've got a good chance of being hired, but you've also got to have a thick skin. Koreans, for reasons I can't pinpoint, call it as they see it. They'll compliment you extravantly, or frankly point out your faults. Near-strangers ask about recent blemishes on my face or moles I've had for ages, and my co-teachers used to get very concerned about my body shape, making the "hourglass figure" with their hands on a DAILY BASIS.
My friend Julie is a very normal, quite attractive girl, but was nearly reduced to tears in class when one of her students called her "so enormous."
There are far fewer heavy people in Korea than in Canada or the States, but a number of prominent comics are quite rotund, so you'll have your work cut out for you.
As another poster has said, if you're willing to eat Korean food, you're likely to slim down quite a bit anyway. Just bring lots of clothes with you, a few in a size smaller, cross your fingers, and get on over here!

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

Kermo, you pear you. rawwwwwrrrr....

any to the op. I know your situation I am a bit stout myself and don't worry about it. Just do a good job, and develop a thick skin. The kids will call you alot of names like pig, and other kinds of lovely things.

Landon77 · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Texas, USA

Well this is good to hear. Being called names isn't going to bother me that much; I just want a job teaching in S. Korea. And I'm quite willing to eat a Korean diet.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

I had no problem getting and completing 3 contracts and I was...ahem somewhat larger than you.

Now I am happily about the same size Very Happy

You may notice some gawking and stares and once you have some of the lingo down the odd rude comment or two but for the most part it wasnt an issue.

kermo · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 5:37 pm Post subject:

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

Well, I had a friend who was about your size who taught in Korea for about 7 years until he returned home to get married. Kids just loved him. I guess kids thought he was secretly Santa Claus because of his big thundering voice and his hearty laugh. He was also quite a good teacher. He died a few years ago. I miss seeing him walking around town wearing a NY Islanders jersey, a tuque, huge mittens, workboots and a pair of shorts in the winter.

jaylynn232 · Joined: 25 Nov 2005 Location: Kyeonggi Do

Also be prepared something else. Koreans will point out your larger size and then tell you you're not eating enough. This still makes me confused and uncomfortable.

uberscheisse · Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Location: japan is better than korea.

about 8 of the teachers at my school in the last 2 years have been of above average weight. i guess that means teaching skills is what my boss looks for first.

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

kermo · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 12:00 am Post subject:

Boys, boys. Settle down peas. Cheers, Gourd and Bok Joe. Man, my mojo this weekend cannot be beet. Who knows what will turnip next?

Actually, this reminds me of the World's Worst Dirty Phone Call. I was cheerfully helping my mom in the kitchen a few years ago, and answered the phone.
Me: Hello?
Him: Hi. It's me.
Me: Oh! Er.. hi.
Him: What are you doing?
Me: (suspicious, but playing dumb) Just making a salad with my mom!
Him: (throatily) Can I toss your salad?
Me: [hangs up the phone laughing]